Racism as a secondary factor in Othello

In class on monday, we had a brief discussion on whether race was the primary reason for why people disapproved of Othello. Our guest on monday, whose name i have unfortunately forgotten, thought his Moor background as a secondary reason for why people looked on Othello with such hatred. After taking a closer look, I disagree. I believe it is the primary reason for their hatred. If it was not for Othello's background, I do not believe that the tragic events of this play would have occured. Surely some might look upon Othello with disapproval, but it is the race driven hatred that is at the heart of this tragedy.